Today’s relay event held on Murryong East, an extension of the old Felled Timbers map, saw the final four races between New Zealand and Australian Schools Team.

Australia took an opening lead in the Junior Boys and Girls relay teams with New Zealand setting the pace in the senior categories. The Australian Junior Boys established a 4 minute lead after two legs whilst the Aussie junior girls established 7minutes after two legs.

The lead was narrowed by the third map change with the final junior runners for both countries hitting the course at roughly the same time.   In the senior races the New Zealanders established an early lead in both the senior categories and held that lead throughout the race.

Lachlan Dow, who set the fastest leg on the Senior Boys’ course, said that there was low visibility in the pine forest and the abundance of tracks made navigating difficult.  His time enabled Simon Mee (4^th leg AUS runner) to set up a possible win by the Australians. Unfortunately a 30 second error before the spectator control enabled New Zealand to hold onto a win not only in the senior boys but also in every other category.

In the end New Zealand had a clean sweep in the relays event taking a 6 – 2 win over Australia